Posts Tagged 'spring'

On Friday our balcony was finished, we got a new deck. And just in time, as this weekend is the first real outdoor springtime-weather. Of course the sonntagssüß had to be taken outside on the freshly made balcony. And as I had prepared the macaron-shells and the carrot-cake in a glass the weekend before, I didn’t have to waste a ray of sunshine by spending too much time in the kitchen. The cream-cheese frosting and fillings of the macarons were made while the coffee was brewing. Now I’m off gardening and thus exercising away all these yummy calories…

If you change the decor in your home going with the seasons or in anticipation of holidays and festivities, the time between winter and spring, or the time between Valentine and Easter is a time of transition. Many people weary of winter bring in tulips and daffodils, although outside snowdrops are just about to bloom. Others still have some Christmas decoration around, just because it’s blingy and cozy when it’s often still dark and cold outside. And quite a lot of people have both at the same time. Eek! Well, I admit, I still have our Ikea-Glimma-wreath in the window (the bling-thing) and underneath on the windowsill are hyacinths (the spring-thing). But now I found something decowise that fits outstandingly into this time: The Chilly Geometric Garland, downloadable and printable at urbanoutfitters. I love the pastel colours and the simplicity at this time of the year, combining bling and spring but not too much of both. Here is my version, hung on a birch-branch above our dining-table:

I usually think up more blog-posts and take more photos than I actually use and write. Well, this morning I make use one of these photo-streams: I’m taking you with me on my usual nordic walking-tour, the photos taken Sunday two weeks ago, when the weather was much better than this Sunday morning. I only have to cross one road and the scenery makes me so happy, relaxed and peaceful, it sometimes reminds me of Shire in Tolkins novels, especially this time of the year.

this is where I start, right behind our neighbour’s house

I pass ‘Schrebergärten’, allotment gardens with long traditions and very different gardening styles

then I have to cross the road

shortly after I’m at the crossroads in Shire (Auenland): today it’s straight on

Though I think that’s exactly this kind of pattern which is intimidating to sewing beginners. All those lines, the rather specific language supposed to explain but leaving you puzzled, and you’re not sure what the outcome might look like and if it fits. These patterns are more understandable once you’ve taken a very close look at your store-bought clothes by tracing or deconstructing them, and taking heart and trying to sew something similar. Good books, veteran sewing persons in your real or virtual social network and yes, the internet, are helpful, too. And if things go wrong, well, so what? You only ruined some fabric and wasted some time, no catastrophe, no-one hurt. Just dump it in the bin or use the rags for cleaning (if you can brave the reminder of your failure ;-)) and add the experience to your learning-curve.